Gap Medics: Pre-physician assistant programs

I cannot stress enough how great this program is! Not only is it a beneficial academic experience, the social and personal growth aspects are prominent. By the end of my two week stay I had made friends who I am still in touch with. The weekdays consisted of shadowing surgeons in specific departments, seeing surgeries I never thought I would at such an early stage in my studies. Additionally, we attended global health sessions, visited an orphanage and explored the city we were in. The balance of work and fun in this program is perfect!

Although Africa is an area of great poverty, it was brilliant to be part of a hospital that aimed to help all people in need. There was a wide range of economic statuses staying at the Morogoro Hotel and I was ecstatic to be a part of giving medical aid to all of these people. Furthermore, every person was so grateful and respectful to our mentors and us, which just made the whole experience more enjoyable.

The experience was invaluable to my outside the classroom learning, as I got to learn practical skills, people skills and more in depth information about diseases that were prominent in the Morogoro area.

The people we were spending time with both inside and outside the hospital also made a huge impact on the enjoyability of my time there. The house staff were so lovely and welcoming - it felt like we were all a family by the end of the week. The mentors in the hospital were all very helpful, (but by far Dr. Alex in the surgery department was the best), so I got to learn a great deal, and I didn't feel uncomfortable about asking questions.

I was in a surgery placement and I couldn't have asked for more than what I got. I got to see so many close-up surgeries and interesting cases - I really felt part of the medical team.
On a side note, it is not all fun and games, as there are many tragic stories that come with the placement, but it cannot be helped, and I am glad I could see the more difficult side of the job.

I am looking forward to joining the programme again.
My only regret is not staying for very long!

A week in paediatrics involved ward rounds presenting cases such as malaria, tuberculosis, anaemia, pneumonia etc, sitting in on outpatient clinical practice (where we would sometimes ask questions ourselves in Swahili), and learning in the neonatal clinic. My mentor was helpful, provided you demonstrated initiative and asked questions. I also enjoyed learning from 5th year medical students also doing rounds.
Obstetrics and gynaecology was exciting! Plenty of cesarians; a highlight was catching the baby, cutting the cord, weighing it, assessing its health and tending to after care. Around 6 natural labours throughout the week as well, which was incredible to be apart of. I also participated in the ward rounds of antenatal patients and gynaecology patients, and I can't forget watching a total abdominal hysterectomy...where I was kindly granted permission to dissect the tumour.
The staff are beautiful, as is the country. Food is delicious, bring warm clothes as it gets windy at night! Houses are more than comfortable! Would recommend this experience, definitely get your money's worth with midweek entertainment at night, Swahili lessons and global he lath tutorials as well!

I participated in the program to Iringa, Tanzania for two weeks last year.
The program was very well organized!
I enjoyed the structure of the program as well as the flexibility and freedom to enjoy the trip even further.
The trip was fantastic! I didn't want to leave and I am now looking forward to going back!
The Medical Experience was one of a kind and one that I will never forget.
I really enjoyed the trip and highly recommend it to anyone who is considering to particpiate

I spent the 2 most life changing weeks in Tanzania, and it has been the most eye opening place i have had the pleasure to visit. I cannot fault the staff or anything in the house, all meals were amazing and cater for all nationalities as well as including some local influences which is always nice for a change. Wednesday nights are usually spent playing football at the local university a short walk from the house, this is a perfect way to end the day either watching or playing and the local younger children who live near by usually come into the grounds to play with students who are not playing football. I found this gave me a real appreciation for culture and spending time with friends. First impressions when on placement at the Regional hospital are a shock to the system but you soon realise that they simply make do with what equipment and resources are available. I spent my first week on paediatrics, at times i found this difficult due to the seriousness of the illness of the children you are exposed to, however the doctors do work to the best of their abilities under the circumstances and you have to realise that this is the day to day running of things. Intensive care is particularly striking due to the lack of equipment when compared to the UK and the young age of the children. I spent some of my time on the children's surgical ward, this was helping to dress burns which are surprisingly common. Myself and my group contributed to pay for a child's prescription as they were unable to afford treatment and we increased what was prescribed in order to make sure there was enough to distribute round the rest of the ward for other children in the same position. This was particularly rewarding in the sense that all of the staff were highly appreciative of the donation and it was going to benefit. My second week was spent on surgery, this was exciting in the sense that there is a variety of procedures to watch, the most common thing i experienced was hernia removal or repair and the most interesting thing i watched was part of an intestine being removed. However, i would advise taking some strong smelling oil or vapour rub to put inside the surgical masks as sometimes depending on the type of surgery the smell can be strong and unpleasant as i found out during the removal of part of an intestine. I would also advise to take lots of hand gel and keep it in the pockets of your scrubs at all times, this comes in handy all day every day. I was lucky enough to spend my last night on the nightshift, during which i watched 2 c-sections and 1 normal delivery. This was the perfect way to end my 2 weeks as i watched 3 healthy baby girls come into the world. The doctors in the hospital are remarkable, they speak good english and explain everything as they are going particularly in surgery the surgeons are very good at this. All of them will ask who your name is and it is very rare for them to get it first time, my friend Pippa spent 2 weeks being called Pepper.
I visited the orphanage twice, this was the most life changing experience as i did not know what to expect going there. Beware that they love cameras and the front camera's of mobile phones. The older ones love to look through old holiday photos on your camera's then take the odd selfie. As everyone probably says who has visited the orphanage, i wanted to bring a child home. My memories there will be with me forever and they have given me more of an appreciation for the smaller things in life. I loved going into town after placement, i felt it really exposed you to the culture, some people do look but i believe this is purely based on the fact that we are white and to put it honestly, you do stand out but i did feel safe at all times. Beware of the children who beg outside of the supermarket who will then follow you on the way into town, we found that if you just ignore they will eventually give up and go back, however we learnt that these are from the mountainous areas and they make their money from livestock therefore should not be begging.
In summary, i could go on and on about my trip here. I cannot fault hardly anything from the moment i booked it to the moment i landed back home. It has changed my life as cliche as it sounds, it has given me food for thought when it comes to having such a negative attitude on things which don't really matter. I believe that everybody should experience something like this at one point in their lives to put things into perspective.

The whole experience was incredible. I was nervous to go, as I didn't know anyone and wasn't sure what to expect. But as soon as arrived I didn't want it to end. The people you go with are amazing, the staff included. They offer you everything at the placement and back at the house. The placement's showed me operations that I couldn't see in the UK which made a big different. The activities back at the house were really good and allowed you to relax after placement. The safari trip was stunning, living up to my expectations and got some great photos. Plus, you get a weekend away with your friends in the amazing national park's of Tanzania. I couldn't have asked for a better time, and was the best experience of the Summer by far. I really recommend going, not only for the medicine but also for the overall experience.